After working in IT for three years Gary Ennis saw how the internet was booming. So in 1999 he set up digital consultancy NS Design. The Glasgow company now provides hosting for 10,000 small business website and has expanded into internet marketing and social media training. Ennis tells us about the growth.

??Where did the funding come from and which organisations have supported the business? Before I got the company off the ground, I worked a nine to five day job, and ran NSDesign from 5pm until 1am. It was hard work and long hours, but it meant no external funding was needed when I finally decided to make the business my sole source of income. The company wouldn’t be where it is today without the positive support and endorsement provided by the Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Business Gateway. Setting up office at Hillington Innovation Centre also gave us access to excellent business support facilities, which have been invaluable.

?What is unique about what the company does? All of the work we do for our clients is conducted in-house and by a member of the NSDesign team. We aim to provide a comprehensive range of services so that our clients can use us as a ‘one stop shop’ for all their e-commerce requirements, ensuring they don’t need to go through the hassle of sourcing multiple suppliers.

What has been the single biggest investment? Without question, it has been the time that I’ve dedicated to the business. When you’re passionate about the work you do, you work long and hard to ensure that standards are consistently high and that your clients are kept happy.

Has there been a key moment or turning point? Employing my first member of staff. Sometimes it’s hard to let go of your own creation and delegate responsibilities.

What is the business plan and how does the company intend to grow? We’ve been growing steadily year on year, and our financial projections indicate that NSDesign will hit the half a million mark in the next two years. The medium term will see us focus on developing mobile websites and applications for clients, continuing to push the social media training, and form strategic business alliances. We have big ambitions for the company, but I am keen to ensure it never loses its personal touch – I think that’s what makes it so successful at the moment. ? How does the company use technology and IT? In every way possible. As a business we pride ourselves on having our finger on the pulse as far as new IT is concerned. This culture is what has led to revenue generating services for us. ? Who are your key customers/what are your key markets? For the most part, NSDesign focuses on the SME and start-up market, but we are increasingly moving into other sectors, providing services to the Scottish Government, educational establishments, and larger companies like Highland Spring, GMG and Glasgow Airport. ? Does the company have international sales or does it intend to grow internationally? We recently designed a mobi website for a company in Silicon Valley, California. Working in the e-commerce trade, we’re not limited by geographical borders, and we have plans to grow the business overseas in the medium to long term. ? What has been the biggest hurdle which has been overcome? As with most businesses, the impact of the recession over the past few years has had a negative impact. We have a positive outlook on it though, and it has encouraged us to be more innovative in terms of ensuring business growth continues. ? How do you interact with the wider business community? NSDesign hold introductory and masterclass workshops on social media for other businesses. Over the past couple of years we have provided these directly, as well as in partnership with numerous Chamber of Commerce organisations, including Glasgow, Renfrewshire and Ayrshire, as well as with Business Gateway. The workshops have been fantastic for NSDesign as far as networking is concerned – we’ve also managed to secure a whole host of new business from people attending them, which is always an added bonus. ? What will the next 12 months hold? I think the next 12 months hold real promise. We’re about to embark on a Scotland-wide research project with Glasgow Caledonian University, which will further increase our reputation within the field of social media. We’ll also continue to grow the training side of the business, as there is a huge demand for this from other companies. ? Where do you want the business to be in 10 years time? I would like us to be the number one agency of choice in the UK for businesses that are looking for web and social media assistance. ?If you were given £1 million to invest in the company how would you use it? Without doubt, I’d hire more great people, and also better reward those we already have. It’s the people not the technology behind NSDesign that have made us a success. ? What's the best part of running a business? ?? Being able to act on your gut instinct – no sign off procedures, no bureaucracy, no red tape.